For Morgan Waggener, the owner of 500 District, her dream of joining the business world came true when she was just nineteen by opening the Heart of Michigan Cafe – a cafe with a full menu specializing in coffee that created an environment for the community and travelers to enjoy. Morgan opened the 505 Cafe in December of 2015, but she wasn’t ready to stop there. A year after opening Heart of Michigan Cafe, Morgan continued on to open the Venue at 501 – the Cafe’s sister business – that has since hosted countless weddings, showers, and events. She expanded again in the spring of 2017, opening The Upper Rooms Sleep Suites right above the Cafe. In July 2019, Heart of Michigan Cafe rebranded to 505 Cafe and expanded their menu to lunch options and handcrafted cocktails; then The 500 District was created. In May of 2021 the 500 District expanded yet again and opened the Trap Door Speakeasy located beneath the Venue at 501. Morgan’s dream won’t stop there…stay tuned for what’s to come in the future for The 500 District!

Karly officially joined the team in December 2020, but she has always been a supporter of her sister, Morgan. Karly is an asset to our team after obtaining her Bachelors degree from Northwood University in Business Management. Her passion for marketing shines through all of her work on our business pages, but you can also find her in the cafe interacting with our customers. Stay tuned to see what this duo brings The 500 District!

Casey is a seasoned professional with 17 years of management experience in the restaurant industry. Born and raised in Clare, she has deep roots in the business, having grown up with her family owning and operating various restaurants in the area. Casey advanced into management at a young age and has demonstrated unwavering dedication to her career ever since. She is passionate about training and mentoring young professionals and is excited to be back in her hometown of Clare, reconnecting with old friends and colleagues.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Casey enjoys road trips, attending concerts, and spending quality time with her close friends. She also values time spent at home with her three dogs and long-term boyfriend, enjoying television together. As a mother to a 17-year-old son, a stepmother to a 22-year-old daughter, and a step-grandmother to a 10-month-old boy, family is central to her life. Casey’s extensive knowledge and commitment to fostering a positive work environment make her an invaluable asset to any team she joins.